300 Meters To Go

Almost at the saddle and the final route to the summit in sight. Just scurry around that knoll on the right and head straight up. After the 1300 meter hike from the trailhead at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, through the forest, over a couple of dilapidated bridges, past Radium Lake and some stepping through the remaining snow patches, the final 300 meters looks almost too easy. That’s when we began to understand the ‘ball bearing sand’ referred to in some trip reports. You couldn’t really see the particles but you sure became quickly aware of them underfoot. They must lay in wait for unwary travelers and spring out of their dusty crevasses as footsteps approach. Comfortably manageable on the ascent, the descent required more careful navigation to avoid the slippery spots.